Sheepshead

Looking for a challenging and rewarding fishing experience in Atlantic Beach? Then target Sheepshead! These convict-striped fish are notorious for their bait-stealing abilities, making them a fun adversary. Focus your attention around structure such as docks, piers, bridge pilings, and oyster rocks in the Bogue Sound and nearby waterways. Sheepshead love to feed on crustaceans, so fiddler crabs are the bait of choice. A small, sharp hook is essential to penetrate their bony mouths. Spring and early summer, when they are spawning, and fall are excellent times to target them. A key tip: place your bait right next to the structure and be ready to set the hook at the slightest twitch. The Sheepshead around Atlantic Beach are known for their impressive size, and a five-pounder is not uncommon. Access to good sheepshead spots is readily available from public docks and piers, or by boat. Remember to use enough weight to hold your bait in place in the current.